This week we are joined by Zac Hoffman from Washington, DC. Growing up in Northern Virginia, Zac began his hospitality career cooking in a small wine bar in Leesburg with a tiny kitchen. Working at night and attending a vocational High School during the day, the itch to create art with food took hold. After a few years of cooking in large and small kitchens, Zac attended The Culinary Institue of America where he graduated twice, being an incredibly involved student throughout his educational career. Once graduated, Zac found an opportunity in West Virginia at the storied Greenbrier Resort where he completed an MIT (Manager In Training) program before returning home to the DC area. 

Working with chefs like Bryan Voltaggio, Kwame Onwuatchi, and Frank Rutta, several opportunities arose to be a part of many different restaurant opening teams in and around DC. In 2018, a local political campaign would shift everything when Zac became an outspoken leader for the industry, leading bar and restaurant workers to the steps of the DC StateHouse to have their voices heard. Zac Co-found the DC Bar and Restaurant Workers Alliance with other industry veterans, ran for public office, and uses his experience to work with national and local groups supporting the Industry during the pandemic. 

Links

Twitter: @zac_hoffman

Instagram: @zac90210

DC Bar and Restaurant Workers Alliance - dcbrwa.org

Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah @zak.hannah